The Mattapoisett Board of Selectmen had a very candid discussion about the pervasive “dog problems” in Mattapoisett – ignored piles of fecal matter, dogs playing in parks and beaches where they are expressly prohibited – at their regular meeting on Tuesday night.

The issue arose because of recent media coverage in The Wanderer, with which the three Selectmen and several attendant town residents agree. Prior to the meeting, Town Administrator Michael Gagne visited the park at Ned’s Point Lighthouse, where he discovered “dog remains – that were going to be stepped on by somebody” in spite of the eight highly-visible signs which declare dogs prohibited from the green.

“Down at Ned’s Point are probably the most active strips of grass,” Gagne said, also listing Shipyard Park, Goodspeed Island and virtually all of the beaches in town. One resident in attendance said that Brandt Island experiences a number of beach violations by dog owners, as well.

“Generally, our policy is that we warn people,” Gagne said, suggesting that this policy might not be enough of a deterrent. “I think that we need to move to the next level, which is we give citations.”

Selectman Paul Silva firmly agreed with the suggestion that the town Natural Resources Officer and her team of assistants become more aggressive with delinquent dog owners.

“If [the owners] don’t care, we shouldn’t care,” Silva said.  “We should give them the citation.”

Because many of the dog owners who do not pick up after their pets usually walk the streets before the Natural Resources Officer is on duty, Silva suggested that the Board adjust her hours on a rotating basis to catch dog owners unaware.

Selectman Jordan Collyer, also in agreement with the Board’s decision to issue more citations to dog owners who are not following the town bylaws, noted the town’s lack of a dog park or beach.

“I can’t believe we don’t have a dog park in this town,” he said. “It just baffles my mind.”

Ray Andrews, a town resident, discussed the history of the beach at Goodspeed Island. At one town meeting, a vote successfully made the beach open to dogs provided that their owners picked up after them; the vote was never recorded in the meeting minutes.

The Selectmen discussed the possibility of using some of the town’s conservation land in locations where there is no risk of impacting the harbor as a dog park in the future, but it was not an action item.

The status of the road improvements was another important topic of discussion at the Selectmen’s meeting. The section of Church Street between Route 6 and North Street is ready to be paved. Highway Surveyor Barry Denham speculated a construction date sometime for late August or early September.

“I’m sure there will be plenty of residents who will be happy to drive up Church Street without banging the bottoms of their cars,” Denham said.

Denham also discussed potential road improvements for Acushnet Road, for which he has appropriated $10,000. Denham required the Selectmen to discuss inconsistencies in the public record regarding one stretch of Acushnet Road, where two plans cite different town and residential property lines. Depending on how the Selectmen, along with Town Counsel, choose to rectify the error – either by selecting one plan as the record or creating a composite plan from the information on the record for each of the properties in that particular stretch – the width of the road will vary. In turn, this will influence the kind of work that Denham will be able to accomplish at that site.

“I’d like to have a shoulder there so that if someone did skid off the road, they’d have something level to land on rather than go into a cranberry bog,” Denham said. “If we don’t own the property, it’s impossible to widen it.” He added that depending on the plan the town decides to use, the road layout ranges from 32 to 40 feet in width.

The Selectmen will continue to converse with Denham and Town Counsel regarding the incongruity.

The Board also discussed the Conservation Commission’s recent decision to apply for Land Grants for acreage surrounding Nasketucket and the Mattapoisett River Valley.

“[This is] the largest coastal land conservation project currently being advanced in Massachusetts,” Gagne read from the grant applications.

The 77 acres that are a component of a larger plan to preserve 400 acres around Nasketucket are categorized as core habitat. Because the Selectmen knew little about these parcels, including their current real estate appraisal, they could not authorize Gagne to sign the application on behalf of the town. However, the Selectmen said that they only want more information so that they can make an educated decision.

The Selectmen unanimously voted to authorize Gagne to sign the application on behalf of the town regarding the Land Grant for acreage in the Mattapoisett River Valley. These parcels were approved to move on to Town Meeting.

In other action items, the Board:

Signed and approved Treasurer’s bonds as submitted, which allow the road improvements to continue as scheduled.

Accepted the resignation of Judith Mooney as a member of the Finance Committee, and presented her with a Certificate of Appreciation. Gagne said of Mooney, “Mattapoisett is extremely lucky to have someone with her level of education and experience. I’m probably going to be begging her to return once her children grow up because she’s great to work with.”

Appointed Kevin Geraghty and Paul Amoruso to the Finance Committee.

Approved a two-week trailer permit to William and Helen Hoye for property located at the corner of Silver Shell Avenue and Waterman Street. The Selectmen also voted to remind the applicants that they must submit their application timelier next year, since the Selectmen meet more infrequently during the summer.

Approved a common victuallers license to “Men Who Cook” for Sunday, July 14 at Shipyard Park under the big tent.

Issued Certificates of Appreciation to: Kate Souza, Town Beach Supervisor; Bert and Betty Theriault, Coast Guard Auxiliary Lighthouse Tours; Randall Kunz, SRPEDD.

Melody Pacheco, Assistant to the Town Administrator, reminds the public that there is a vacancy on the Mattapoisett Conservation Commission. Interested residents may contact the Town Hall for more information.

The Mattapoisett Board of Selectmen will meet next on August 13 at 7:00 pm.

By Anne Smith

The Mattapoisett Board of Selectmen interviewed the third and final candidate for the full-time Harbormaster position on Tuesday night immediately prior to their regular meeting at 7:00 pm. Since posting the position in early May, 11 highly qualified individuals applied. The Mattapoisett Marine Advisory Board sorted through the résumés and presented the top three to the Selectmen; of the three, one had withdrawn and one had previously interviewed for the position.

During her interview, candidate Jill Simmons explained her work history with the New Bedford Police Department and her role in the city’s harbor as waterfront security and the de facto harbormaster.  She expects to retire from these duties by the end of August.

Selectman Paul Silva said that the Selectmen had previously spoken to Simmons about her credentials, and that the purpose of the night’s interview was to converse about Mattapoisett Harbor.

“Unfortunately, truthfully, I’m not all that familiar,” Simmons admitted, though she has toured the harbor and participated in training exercises under the piers. “I don’t know how the mooring fields are set up; I took a quick look.”

Harbormaster Horace Field verified Simmons’ working knowledge of the recent re-gridding of the mooring fields, which Field intends to finish prior to stepping down from the position.

“Pretty much, the harbor is where we’d like it to be,” Field told Simmons. “It’s all gridded.” He added that the only task left is listening to boat-owners who like to comment when they’ve noticed that their boat has been moved to its new spot on the grid.

When asked how she would contribute to the Mattapoisett waterfront as the harbormaster, Simmons replied, “Law enforcement is my thing. You look at registrations. You’ve got excise taxes. I can sit there with an iPad on the boat and run any list imaginable.”

For Simmons, part of running a harbor is being active on the water.

“You need to have somebody out there,” she said.

One of the problems that Simmons would like to address is speed infractions, typically associated with jet skis.

“I’m not anti-jet ski,” Simmons said. “I’m just anti-nitwit jet ski. They don’t have the right to go through a mooring field at 120 miles per hour. I’ve got no problem writing those citations.”

Simmons mentioned that citations are a financial resource for the town, especially if the citations are filed through the Massachusetts Environmental Police, whereby 100 percent of the fine stays within the town.

Another area Simmons would like to explore is the appropriation of a larger, and therefore more useful, vessel for the Shellfish Warden. Currently, the Shellfish Warden has a 14-foot aluminum vessel that isn’t conducive to patrol. The Selectmen voiced the possibility of using grants to purchase a Boston Whaler.

Simmons concluded her interview by stressing the number of qualifications she has earned during her 40-plus years on the New Bedford Police Department, namely her ability to work at any time on the clock.

“I don’t mind working all night,” Simmons said. “I’ll come in early.”

In their meeting that followed the interview, the Selectmen unanimously agreed to authorize Town Administrator Michael Gagne to contact Simmons about completing the paperwork that would institute her as Mattapoisett’s next Harbormaster.

“If she says ‘No,’ I will be very disappointed,” Selectman Jordan Collyer said. “I’ve known her for a long time. She’s well-respected in her field.”

Silva’s praise for Simmons was effusive.

“I, without question, believe that Jill has more qualifications and experience,” Silva said. “She is extremely well-qualified. There is an additional page, single-spaced, of additional trainings she’s done over the years [in her résumé].”

Selectman R. Tyler Macallister suggested that the town place Simmons’ résumé on its website for the public to view.

“It’s a great opportunity for the town,” he said.

“To get somebody with that experience who is willing to work part-time is very fortunate,” Silva agreed.

By Anne Smith

The Buzzards Bay Coalition has accumulated close to $4.5 million from various funding sources to assist in the acquisition of land known as Nasketucket, 400 acres of farm fields and woodlands, and Mattapoisett River Valley, just over 200 acres, reported Brendan Annette of the coalition. Annette was before the board to have them sign new applications and to request letters that are required to be signed by this town commission by state mandate. The coalition has been working for over 10 years to secure some of these parcels and continues in its tireless efforts to protect land from development and give it to the towns for open space, conserved lands, and recreational activities for the public. From the coalition’s Facebook page we find details on this land and why it is critical to the town:

“Spanning the towns of Fairhaven and Mattapoisett, Nasketucket Bay contains some of Buzzards Bay’s healthiest water and extensive wildlife habitat. To protect Nasketucket Bay’s health, the Buzzards Bay Coalition is working to conserve nearly 400 acres of land vulnerable to development.

Specifically, the land conservation project will: Protect 197 acres of forests, coastal wetlands and waterfront, opening these areas to the public for outdoor recreation; prevent development of 201 acres of active farmland through conservation restrictions; link the Phoenix/Mattapoisett Bike Path with the Nasketucket Bay State Reservation; connect the Austin Pond Conservation Area along the Nasketucket River with the Mariner Youth Soccer fields, the Nasketucket Woods Conservation Area, and the proposed nature trails behind the East Fairhaven School; maintain extraordinary views of Nasketucket Bay, its natural shoreline, and historic rural landscape; secure wildlife habitat for a variety of plant and animal species, including state and federally protected species like box turtles and roseate terns.”

The Mattapoisett River Valley parcels are needed to help ensure the clean drinking water supply in this area but to date, the Coalition has not been successful in doing so. However, undeterred by funding shortfalls ($2.5 million still needs to be sourced) and volumes of paperwork, Annette said he was submitting new applications. Board members agreed to sign all necessary forms and draft the letters required by the state for the application process to continue.

Conservation Agent Elizabeth Leidhold reminded the public that the open space questionnaire is still available on the town’s website and will be remain up for public comment until the end of July. She urged the public to use this forum to give voice to their desires about the future of Mattapoisett’s open spaces.

These projects tie into a much larger overall assessment of land use in Mattapoisett and the future complexion of the community into perpetuity.

In other business:

A request for determination of applicability by Ron & Danielle Bick, 37 Silver Shell Avenue, to build a 10-by-14-foot shed received permission to move forward with no conservation issues raised.

Bob Field from Field Engineering came before the board with a request for determination of applicability for Cindy Penberton, 7 Pine Island Rd., to clear vegetation within the 100-foot buffer zone to create a yard area for a single family dwelling. It was noted by Field that the existing structure on the property is slated to be demolished on Wednesday, which neighbors applauded as an improvement to an eyesore they have lived with for over 10 years. Standard conditions were imposed on the clearing and approval was granted.

Also receiving approval – some with necessary conditions and some without – were Robert and Cathleen Wheeler, 13 North Rd., to erect a prefab 4-by-8-foot shed adjacent to the house; Philip Spillane, 9 Oliver St., for a 14-by-26-foot addition built on sono-tube footings; and James Neeley, 0 Rock Street, to construct a single family dwelling.

Lastly, a request for a certificate of compliance by Alan Ewing Engineering, for 8 Creek St., was approved.

Chair Peter Newton accepted a letter of resignation letter from Ken Dawicki citing a conflict in scheduling. This departure leaves a vacancy on the Conservation Commission. This vacancy will be taken up by the Selectmen in the coming weeks. Newton told the public that anyone interested in assisting the town by being considered for the open slot should send a letter to Town Administrator Michael Gagne.

After approving the minutes from the previous meeting the evening’s meeting ended with beautiful summer breezes freshening the humid air.

by Marilou Newell

The Mattapoiset Police and Fire Departments as well as Harbormaster responded to a report of a capsized boat off Pease’s Point just before 11am. Six people were picked up by another boat in the area with no reported injuries.

Photo by Taylor Mello